UMCH welcomes adults (age 21 and over) that are interested in volunteering their time & talents to the mission & ministry of our agency.
What can I do?
UMCH Friends Auxiliary - the Friends group is comprised of ladies from our community that meet on the first Monday during March, April, May, June, September, October, November & December to support UMCH. During the meetings Auxiliary business is discussed, along with an update of UMCH programs. Our Friends group has a Salad Luncheon every spring to raise funds. These funds are used to purchase equipment and supplies for the homes, to provide gifts to the youth on their birthday and at Christmas, and to plan activities for our staff & youth, such as their annual summer picnic.
Visiting Resource
What is needed?
Adult volunteers are asked to commit to a couple of hours per month (preferably 1 hour per week) for at least 6 months to develop a healthy relationship with a youth in our Residential or Transitional Living Program.
What is required?
For safety purposes, each volunteer must be willing to submit to a background check (child welfare & criminal), fingerprinting through the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services. If the visitation will include transporting a youth, driving records must be checked for transporting clearance and proof of insurance must be on file with the agency.
What can I do with the youth? The possibilities are endless...
- Provide transportation to/from & supervision during worship services, church activities, Sunday School, etc.
- Go to the park, shopping, fishing, movies, plays, local community events, sporting events, miniature golf, etc.
- Take a youth to your home for a visit / family dinner.
- Tutoring / Reading Buddy
- Teach a youth a new hobby / skill
- Call the youth during the week to say "Hi" and see how they're doing.
- Arrange a time to stop by UMCH to spend some time with a youth.
What if I have a question or concern?
UMCH will provide initial training, as well as on-going support for all visiting resources. Visiting resources will also be provided numbers to contact staff if a problem or concern should arise during an off-campus visit.
Assistance with projects on campus
UMCH welcomes volunteers that are willing to assist with various projects (i.e. painting and landscaping).
For more information about volunteer opportunities, please contact Kay Zibby at (618) 242-1070 ext. 255 or kayz@umchome.org.